There is happy news that Prince Albert II and his South African wife Princess Charlene are expecting their first child
It must come with enormous relief to them. The camera does not lies
The pictures that have been taken of Monaco’s reining Prince and Princess have shown great sadness in their eyes
Even when they have been out celebrating and on occasions where happiness was supposed to be the ingredient there…
…the sadness was still there in their eyes
As with all things in life when one appears to have it all, it is often found that sadness and heartache are at the root of many problems
They chose to hide it from the general public, but the camera never lies and the eyes are the windows to the soul and show up everything
We hope that this bundle of joy brings to them the happiness they so much need
As with everything in life where one can buy almost anything, babies are truly gifts from God and one is so blessed to have them
Let us hope that this child can restore balance to two people whose sadness appears deep indeed
Yet again there are horrors of India and its caste system
There is outrage over police inaction in a village in India, where two teenage girls were gang raped and then hanged from a tree
The father of one of the victims stated that he was ridiculed by policemen when he sought help in finding his missing daughter
He was asked what caste he was and, when he told the police, they ‘refused to look for the girl’
At least three men, including one policeman, have been arrested in connection with the incident
The victims’ families have complained that police had refused to help find the missing girls aged 14 and 16
Violence is often used by upper castes to assert power and instil fear in the lower castes
It has been learned that instead of the police helping the father to look for his missing daughter…
…the police in fact helped the accused, as both were of the same caste grouping
It is well known that police discriminate against people from lower castes
Now the police have suspended some constables, but things will not change as they too will discriminate
It is time for India to stand up for the gross inequality of its people
Justice is seen to be given to the upper castes, but totally ignored to the lower castes
If India wishes to be acknowledged in the world around them, then they need to get their justice systems working for the entire nation
In case India has forgotten, we, as humans, are made out of the love from the Great Creator and all are equal in his eyes
Why should India think they can be above God!
Man’s inhumanity to women continues around the world – a Pakistani woman was stoned to death in broad daylight outside a Lahore court
Farzana Parveen, who was three months pregnant, was killed by her family simply because she married the man she loved
Her husband said, “We were shouting for help and nobody listened. The police stood by and did nothing to stop the attack”
Farzana Parveen’s parents had accused her husband of kidnapping her and filed a case against him in the High Court
Farzana Parveen testified to the police that she had married her husband of her own free will
Meanwhile her relatives were waiting and tried to take her away; as she struggled to get free they dragged her to the floor
They pelted her with bricks and then smashed her head in. She died on the pavement with nobody trying to help her or prevent it happening
Farzana Parveen’s father later surrendered to the police, but other relatives who took part in the attack are still free
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan says 869 women were known to be murdered in ‘honour killings’ in the country last year
The true figure is believed to be higher
The barbaric belief system of these clans has no justification in today’s modern world
Until the laws are changed in Pakistan and India then no women are safe
Women remain as chattels to be bought and sold as their families wish
So many women escape, both in Pakistan and India, from these arrange marriages
They cannot abide to be forced to marry someone they do not love
It is seen as a financial incentive to the families who arrange it – consideration for the woman is never mentioned
At last the new Government in India is beginning to show the people that their intentions for right behaviour are being administered
There will be a special task force to find the illicit money or ‘black money’ as it is called
It is cash that has not been declared or taxed and is mostly deposited in foreign banks
According to some estimates there is as much as $500bn deposited in overseas tax havens as black money
To stop this happening the country’s central bank announced the withdrawal of all currency notes printed prior to 2005 from circulation
A retired Supreme Court judge MB Shah will lead this inquiry
Unearthing black money is an important issue for the new Government
It’s been stated that illegal funds were often sent to tax havens like Mauritius, Switzerland, Lichtenstein & the British Virgin Islands
These illegal transfers of money have played a large issue regarding the widening of inequality in India
The former Congress Party’s Government had been on the back foot regarding black money and corruption
The Supreme Court has also chided them for not doing enough to unearth this illicit money
Now, with the new Government, matters are being taken in hand and it will bring a new lease of life for the people of India
With corruption a way of life, it is time that India’s Government started to bring in a fairer, more just, society
The people are owed this at least
All who have been found wanting regarding black money will see their assets not only squeezed but confiscated
Many will be on the run to avoid prosecution, which will be the next step in this saga
No one is above the law and that means politicians who favoured black money
They are responsible for their own avoidance of tax from their own people
Their days are now numbered. An open fairer society can come about, as the people are demanding it by their votes
The Congress Party had let them down and so they are now out into the wilderness
They will have some hard lessons to learn and not before time
If Pope Francis is to make any headway regarding the violation of children by Catholic priests, he needs to do something quickly
There is plenty of evidence now and more is still to come out
It is no longer a question of keeping the lid on it anymore. The boil needs to be burst and the extraneous puss removed once and for all
To satisfy the public at large of these horrific crimes against humanity in the sanctity of the Church and its holy orders…
…the guilty must be punished and named. Their removal from the establishment must be swift and decisive
All those bishops, who have shielded these perpetrators, also need to be removed as they carry the guilt through their knowledge
They are therefore complicit to these crimes. They can no longer hide behind the Church’s secrecy laws
The Church, which has lost all sense of credibility, can no longer take the moral high ground
They acting in a laissez faire manner to protect its own skins
God’s justice needs to be seen by the people if the Church wishes to survive at all
It is already haemorrhaging congregations around the world
Pope Francis, Do the right and honest thing, not from the Church’s point of view but for the decency of those abused children and for God!
With most of the votes now counted, Petro Poroshenko looks set to win Ukraine’s Presidential Elections
Petro Poroshenko says he wishes to ‘end war and bring peace’
His role as the new President will be a difficult and arduous one
He needs to work hard to secure the minds of the people to establish a people’s court, where many can have their say
They need to shed light on what has happened in recent months
Trust has gone out of the people and it is their trust that must be restored in order to return stability to an unstable country
The people of the Ukraine were sold down the river by their previous President Yanukovych
His corrupt ways almost starved the people of their finance having kept much of it for himself
Now a new era for Ukraine will come about where, with new economic reforms, they can start to climb back
They must make Ukraine an economically viable country again
What is needed here is a strong ruler, but one who will embrace all the people, if Ukraine is to advert any interference from Moscow
Although Moscow has stated it will not invade Ukraine, it still stands as a cat waiting to pounce at the appropriate time
Weakness of any sort cannot be exposed by the new Government
With the help of economic advisors, new plans will come about where investment can come in which will aid a stable Government
The people as a whole will gain from this transfer of power
They will begin to see in a short time a new impetus of safeguards, where all the people will gain and understand
Uniting a country is never easy, but in this one it is possible where the overall good of the country is given
At the end of the day, it is the people themselves who must unite and give this Government a fighting chance
A US judge has lifted a temporary order preventing military officials from force-feeding a prisoner on hunger strike at Guantanamo Bay
One of the prisoners on hunger strike, it is now known, will die if not fed
The lawyer for the detainee has said force-feeding through a tube in the nose is illegal and abusive
It’s also extremely painful with detainees being strapped down while a tube is forced into their noses in order for food to be passed down
The judge, who has lifted the ban temporarily, said she is left with an impossible choice
Either to continue with her ban and risk the death of the detainee or allow for the force-feeding, which gives great pain and suffering
The department has long held the view that they will not allow the detainees in their charge to commit suicide
Some of these detainees have been held without trial for more than 11 years and they feel they will never go home
The men are not starving themselves to become martyrs, but because they are desperate
They are desperate to be free of Guantanamo. They don’t see any alternative, but to leave in a coffin
Of the 166 detainees at Guantanamo, over half – 86 – have already been cleared for release out of this hellish camp
They are still there and it is this fact that is helping to drive this hunger strike. For them there is no hope any longer
President Obama in his promise to the Nation when he became President, was to disband Guantanamo
Now, coming to the end of his second term in office, the prison with its detainees is still there
If there is any compassion then release those who have not committed any crimes
Put the others on trial were evidence substantiates this necessity
There needs to be justice here for all and that is not being served in any direction
What example to the world is America giving regarding justice on this level?
As Mankind continues to make progress against all the odds, many miracles are being performed
We all must begin to see the greater picture, where people are striving for a better life
They alone must take personal responsibilities for it
The more Mankind can begin to look at himself and start to understand his hand in his own downfall…
…then and only then, will situations begin to change
It is very easy for us all in our comfortable chairs to criticise others for this and for that
What is needed is to say, “Did I have a hand in that misfortune?”
“Could I have prevented it and in what way?”
Once the problem has been analysed, then the solutions become obvious and a way out is found
We must stop blaming everybody else and start to bring in changes, where before there were none
When we are all able to strive through life in the right and orderly way with deep respect for one another…
…then matters for the positive do actually change and we are all then in a better world
We are all dependent on one another and so it is in our best interest to work as a united force
Not to harm or destroy, but to build and construct in a better way, where all can gain and life becomes liveable again
If we are to continue to share this planet, then we must learn to respect and interact together
We are all given a great chance from our Creator and so we must respect that calling and live in the right way…
…with tolerance and appreciation that we are all God’s chosen people and all have a right to live in His Divine Love!
Yet again Russia & China have vetoed the UN Security Council resolutions…
…that would refer the conflict in Syria to the International Criminal Court
More than 60 countries have supported the French-drafted text calling for investigations into war crimes being committed by both sides
This veto would cover up all crimes, where 160,000 people brutally killed and 9.5 million have been driven out of their homes
Other members of the Security Council also voted in favour to the draft resolution
This condemns the widespread violation of human rights and international humanitarian law by Syrian Government Forces
They have called for an ICC investigation, drawing on the evidence already collected by the UN Human Rights Council’s independent inquiry
The UN’s Deputy Secretary-General has urged the Security Council to put an end to this long nightmare
These vetoes are a disgrace to the human race that a dictator can continually be backed up by other countries to keep him in power
He continues to blow up his own people so that he can stay in power
Until the countries of this world start to stand up to these bully boys, who is ever safe in this world
How, as a human race, can we idly stand by and allow these atrocities to continue
The UN Security Council is a joke
What is the point of having these people in office if they are unable to do anything about it?
There needs to come a time when a majority clause is implemented to put an end to this deadlock
The UN Security Council otherwise is not fit for purpose & should be disbanded by a Council, who has teeth and humanitarian law behind it!
We collectively owe it to the Syrian people to bring in justice for their loss & against those who continue to perpetrate these atrocities
Somebody needs to take control. Otherwise humanity is lost to us all!
A new slant on journalism as an online newspaper is about to be born in Cuba
Cuba’s best known dissident blogger, Yoani Sanchez, is launching her daily news about the communist-run country
Its aim is to provide essential information to Cubans
The paper will be produced in Cuba and will not have a print version
The Cuban media, which include the country’s three national newspapers, are all under strict state control
President Raul Castro has eased restrictions on dissidents in recent years
He has allowed opponents of the Government, which includes Mrs Sanchez, to travel abroad
Mrs Sanchez wants to tell the Cuban story from inside Cuba and to broaden the public’s outlook
She is keen to stress that she will avoid any trouble with the authorities by remaining an online-only publication
The Government is becoming less anxious about their safety and wants to expand the world experience
This will be a good start into allowing the Cuban people a greater form of expression
Healthy journalism, where the Government can be criticized with useful powerful views, is to be welcomed
It is not seen as inflicting wounds on a Government
Governments, who exclusively rely on the yes voters and who encourage sycophants all the time, cannot produce healthy Government policies
This is especially so when there is no opposition
It only creates a climate of fear, anger and rebellion
A strong Government can always take healthy criticism and thrive
In time this online paper might be able to pave the gentle way forward for this to happen?
The Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse has pleaded guilty to helping some US clients avoid paying taxes to the US Government
They have agreed to pay $2.6bn fine
It is the biggest bank to plead guilty to criminal charges in the US in more than 20 years
This bank has helped US citizens to cheat on their tax obligations
Of course Credit Suisse says they regret their past misconduct. This is because they have finally been found out
It has been previously predicted that other banks besides UBS would fall regarding outrageous banking practices
Credit Suisse is the latest and there will be more that will get found out
The noose around these banks’ necks is tightening and for every loophole there will be another legislation to keep them in their place
What is outrageous is that these banks, because of the power they control, are still trading
This is what is unacceptable to the public at large
They all feel they are above the Law and so their arrogance continues to grow as they think they can continually get away with it
Credit Suisse went to elaborate lengths to shield itself, its employees and the tax cheats they served
They held no accountability for their criminal actions
They subverted disclosure requirements, destroyed banking records and concealed transactions involving undeclared accounts
Credit Suisse limited withdrawal amounts and using offshore credit and debit cards to repatriate funds
The US Attorney General stated that the tax evasion schemes went back decades and in one case began more than 100 years ago
What is shameful is that neither the chairman nor the chief executive will lose their jobs as an agreement was made with the US authorities
Credit Suisse is not alone, as US prosecutors are chasing now more than a dozen other Swiss banks
Credit Suisse have been helping wealthy American clients dodge US taxes
There is now no such thing as a bank that is too big to jail
That is the chilling thought that they are no longer above the Law as their power thought they would be
Another corrupt individual is President Zuma, who is being asked to repay some $23m for upgrades to his home in South Africa
His pretext is that he needed protection on his home
Tax payer’s money has been spent on a swimming pool, a cattle enclosure & a chicken run, which do not constitute security or protection
The Public Protector’s report state these upgrades are irrational, contradictory and are informed by material errors of law
Public Proctor, Thuli Madonsela responded that no court of law will find in the minister’s favour
There has been corruption charges also laid against Mr Zuma over the use of taxpayers’ money
As with all those again who think they are above the law, their fate is sealed
They will be made to pay and will lose all credibility within their own country and abroad
As predicted yesterday, there is an announcement by President Putin to withdraw his military forces from near the Ukraine border
The Kremlin is having internal wrangling, which is causing problems within the power struggle that is going on there
It will be some time before a proper adjustment is maintained that will support a common ground
International pressure is putting the Kremlin in an awkward place
What they want to do and what is ideally possible are two very different things
It is this that is causing the rifts in policies, which were not there before
They will have no choice but to back down, but will still bear their teeth nevertheless
All will now be about saving face, which is more important for the Kremlin to do at home than abroad
Ukraine battles to keep control of its regions
There will be a severe battle before negotiations on a different level can be achieved
The country is now heading towards anarchy with both sides vying up the opposition
Both think they are right and will be able to overthrow the other
Both will be greatly mistaken, as the new found factions will not be able to work
Even with Russian activists trying to stir up trouble for the opposition forces, there will be no concluding solutions
Russia, which is under enormous financial pressure, will have to back down
How it backs down will be by a series of agreements which will suit nobody
However it will allow for a breathing space to occur before a greater long-term solution is found
All the Ukrainian people, and it doesn’t matter which side of the fence they are on, will regret the eventual split up of their country
Nothing will benefit any of them and this will only be seen in time
People must accept that they have differences of opinions, yet have a common nationality
This should be preserved for all prosperity and a richer more vibrant nation can be formed for the good of all
India’s Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi has received a hero’s welcome at his BJP party’s headquarters in Delhi after securing victory
It is their most decisive election victory in three decades
Because of their majority, they will be able to govern without a coalition partner
There has been unrelenting inflation, which had turned both the poor and the middle class against the Congress Party
This has been going on for the past three and a half years with India suffering the highest rate of inflation for 20 years
The Congress Party has failed to adapt to a changing India, where the people wish to have their rights heard and a more equal society
Justice needs to be seen to be done and where the populace, especially the female gender, can begin to feel safe again
Corruption is rife and that needs to be brought into line, as it has already ruined the country extensively
Now with new policies, which will be implemented very quickly, a new surge of ideals will be able to take root and grow
The BJP will have a chance to see how it can turn India around; it is high time the people saw benefits come out of stale policies
Fossilised bones of a dinosaur believed to be the largest creature ever to have walked the Earth, have been unearthed in Argentina
The dinosaur bones have been calculated to show that the creature was 130ft long and 65ft tall
It weighed 77 tonnes and would have been as heavy at 14 African elephants
Scientists believe it is a new species of Titanosaur, an enormous herbivore
A local farmer stumbled on the remains and contacted the authorities, who brought in a team of palaeontologists to excavate the remains
They also found partial skeletons of seven individuals and 150 bones all in remarkable condition
This giant herbivore lived in the forests of Patagonia between 95 and 100 million years ago
Given the size of the bones, they surpass any of the previously known giant animals at that time
It is a major find for scientific research into our planet’s history
A court in Israel has sentenced former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to six years in prison for bribery
The judge also ordered that £171,000 in assets be seized
The 68 year old was convicted in March over a real estate deal that took place while he served as mayor of Jerusalem
The Tel Aviv Court found he had accepted £86,000 as a bribe from the developers of a controversial apartment complex known as Holyland
Ten other government officials and business people were convicted alongside Olmert
Their sentences handed down against six of them raged from three to seven years
The judge stated that bribery offences contaminated the public sector and caused the structure of the Government to collapse
For those who receive bribes, it gives rise to a feeling of disgust and causes the public to despise the state’s institutions
The taker of bribes is like a traitor, who betrays the public’s trust that was given to him
Without trust a proper public service cannot be maintained
This jail sentence is a dramatic fall from grace of a man, who was once a powerful figure in Israel
It also ends his hopes for a political comeback
In his three years in office, he took Israel into two bloody armed conflicts
The 2006 war with Hezbollah and a three week offensive on Gaza in 2008-2009 that left 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israeli’s dead
Now corruption has been added to Olmert’s political career
Many Israelis hope now that his sentencing is a sign that their country is cleaning up its political culture. We all live in hope!
One thing is for sure, it doesn’t matter how high up you think you are in office no one is above the law
All will fall when the time is most damaging to them
Many people feel disenfranchised by their own Governments
They feel it is more jobs for the boys & many decent people who have their hearts set on representing the people never seem to get a look in
Working in politics is never easy and it is very much a question of who you know who can help you to get in
What should be asked is, “Who is the right person to take on the job in the first place?”
Until government officials start to engage more with the general public you will continue to have this divide of mistrust and frustration
There needs to be more effective governing and more people elected from the lower social strata
Then they can make effective criticism. This way the cries of the people are heard
Many of the elite in politics have no concept what it is like to be on the poverty line
Never in a decade will they know the effect both physically and mentally to the body and the very soul of these people
If they did, they truly would be humbled and would try more substantially to reduce the suffering to so many
It is only when we suffer that can we actually relate to those who suffer daily and where for many there is no hope or relief
Politicians now need to look at their jobs and not consider it as a cushy number
They must realise that people have emotions and fears that are real
They do not fit a pattern or a statistic and are not just a number
They are people and all are different and should be treated with compassion and respect
Politicians should reflect all parts of society and not just a chosen few, if they want to have successful governing the world over
Thousands of unidentified remains from the 9/11 attack have been returned to ‘Ground Zero’ in a solemn ceremony
The 11th September 2001 attacks killed almost 3,000 people in New York, the Washington DC area and Pennsylvania
The remains consist of 7,930 fragments of human tissue that could not be identified by forensic teams
All were placed in metallic boxes and covered in the American flag. Then they were taken in convoy to the site of the attacks in Manhattan
Uniformed firemen and police placed the boxes in a dedicated facility located underneath the Memorial Museum
The repository, which is 65 feet underground, will remain under the control of the Office of the New York Medical Examiner
Only family members and forensics teams will be allowed direct access
It is believed that this will allow for further identification attempts to be carried out in future as forensic science continues to advance
Some of the families are not happy suggesting that their loved one’s remains would be better in a beautiful and respectful memorial
They suggest that the basement of a museum is not suitable
It is understandable that the authorities would like to safeguard these remains
They must not allow them to be exposed to vandalism, which is likely
Of the 2,753, who died at the World Trade Centre, 1,115 have still not been identified
On the site of the destroyed twin towers, a new skyscraper has been built called the ‘One World Trade Centre’
It is now the tallest building in the western hemisphere
The memorial plaque that also stands on the site of this tragedy is for all those who lost their lives
This includes the many services that came to the rescue of those stricken souls
They also gave up their lives to help so many, so others may live
Everybody who was involved in that tragedy is remembered
It is because we speak their names and cherish them, they touched our hearts in so many ways
It is because of this that they will remain forever in our hearts and in our memories
Time can never dilute our love for all those who lost their lives on that day
Their courage lives on in the lives of those still living that is their true epitaph. Love never dies!
South Sudan’s President and rebel leader have agreed a peace deal after a five month conflict
This deal calls for an immediate truce and the formation of a transitional Government
This must be ahead of the drafting of a new constitution and new elections
The conflict in the world’s newest state has left thousands dead and a million homeless
A previous ceasefire agreed in January collapsed within days with both sides accusing each other of starting the fight
US Secretary of State John Kerry has helped to instigate this ceasefire & is helping to broker a deal which will be able to help both sides
There needs to be salvation for South Sudan and its people. The journey will be a long road, but it must start now!
The UN has already accused both sides of crimes against humanity including mass killings and gang-rape
Both sides have signed an agreement in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa
The permanent ceasefire will then be worked on, so as to allow for the much needed humanitarian aid to get in
As the new transitional administration comes into effect, it will need to be overseen so that there is no abuse of power
It has to be done by the letter of the law
This new country needs now to repair and heal
They need to bring in a thought for their own people, whose lives have been wrecked by the corruption of power
German Nazi-era art hoarder Cornelius Gurlitt, who died on Tuesday, has made the Bern Art Museum in Switzerland his ‘sole heir’
He is the son of Adolf Hitler’s art dealer and he had amassed a collection worth up to a billion euros
The museum said the news had struck ‘like a bolt from the blue’, as they had no relationship with Mr Gurlitt
The art collection has been the subject of a long legal dispute over the works that may have been taken illegally by the Nazis
The Bern Art Museum said it was delighted at the news that they had become the unrestricted and unfettered sole heir
Mr Gurlitt’s father Hildebrand Gurlitt was ordered to deal in works of art that had been seized from the Jews
He also dealt with art that had been removed from German museums
The priceless collection had been confiscated by the Bavarian authorities from the son’s apartment in 2012
The Bern Art Museum now gets ownership of the collection through the lawyers of Cornelius Gurlitt
They indicate that the paintings shown to be looted should return to present day heirs of the victims – an arrangement that still stands
There will be no argument over the works of art acquired by Mr Gurlitt’s father before the Nazi’s came to power, so they can go to Bern
For those paintings which are in dispute, the authorities give potential claimants a year to come forward
This will at last be justice for those who legally owned these works of art and who can now rightfully claim them
It will also allow for the rest of the art collection to be viewed again and appreciated by the public in a very prestigious art museum
Justice sometimes takes time to come in
What may at times seem like an eternity and all appears lost, then turns around and the right thing is done
Justice on so many levels is now finally being dealt with by the Higher Intelligence and where at last peace of mind is received
Rising levels of CO2 around the world will significantly impact on the nutrient content of crops around the world
Experiments show levels of zinc, iron and protein are likely to be reduced by up to 10% in wheat and rice by 2050
This would have serious health implications for billions of people, especially in the developing world
Now an international team has put together a global analysis based on experiments in Japan, Australia and the US
They’ve grown 41 different varieties of grains & legumes in open fields with levels of carbon dioxide expected in the middle of this century
The trials have found that the reduction of iron, zinc and protein in rice and wheat will have major health implications
A third of the global populations are already suffering from iron and zinc shortages
This leads to some 63 million life years being lost annually
It is known that 2bn people already get 70% of their iron and zinc from these grains and legumes
So with crops reducing in nutrients, this will make for alarming deficiencies
What the scientists are now looking at is a breeding programme to produce rice that becomes less sensitive to CO2
The impact of carbon on nutrient levels is another blow to global food production
Due to the rising temperatures globally, crop yields are already suffering
This means that the production of maize, wheat and rice will go down over the course of this century
We owe it to our children and their children after them. Global warming needs to be our first priority
We must save people – not only now, but in the future
We can no longer place our heads in the sand and ignore it
Starvation will replace wars as the single most destructive force to hit humanity!
A team of US experts has been sent to Nigeria to help find more than 200 schoolgirls
They were abducted last month by the Islamist militant Boko Haram
President Obama has said the team comprised of personnel from the military, law enforcement and other agencies that are needed
He also hopes that this action to find the schoolgirls will help galvanise the international community to take action against Boko Haram
The Nigerian Government have been negligent in their handling of this affair
They have been doing virtually nothing to look for the missing schoolgirls, causing outrage by the people of Nigeria
It is well known that some in the Government are sympathetic to this terrorist organisation and that is why so little has been done
The situation has caused International outrage and has now led to the US offering support to the Nigerian Government
Governments must be held accountable for their crimes. It leads to the suffering of so many of their people
Until then nothing in this world will ever change and the innocent will continue to suffer
Boko Haram has left thousands dead since 2009 and again very little has been done to quash this terrorist organisation
There now needs to be a concerted effort by the Nigerian Government with US assistance to bring about a result
Anything other than a credible solution will find the Nigerian Government’s ability to function as worthless and not fit to rule
Eventually they will bring about their own downfall and perhaps not before time
In order to rule one must abide by the Rule of Law and bring about decency and honesty to a country for all to benefit
It is because the Nigerian Government is weak that Boko Haram has the foothold in this country in the first place
As ye sow so shall ye reap. This Government has not done right by its people and so deserve this horrendous situation
There is shocking news that people suffering from asthma are dying unnecessarily
It is because of the complacency among both medical staff and patients
The NHS again are falling behind in not treating adequately asthma suffers
In 83% of those asthma suffers who died, it was stated that there was room for improvement
Deficiencies were found in both routine care and in the treatment of attacks
In the UK there are now 5.5 million people, who are being treated for the condition and the figures are rising
On average three people a day die from asthma
At least 75% of hospital admissions for asthma are avoidable and 90% of deaths are preventable
Children suffer the worst with one in eleven children suffering, where there are smokers in the house
This affects the child considerably
A child in Gosport died aged 12 years old. She had been suffering from asthma since the age of two years
She died in a hospice after falling into a coma when she had an attack, which stopped her breathing for 15 minutes
The month before her death her mother had visited the local GP and said her daughter’s asthma was getting worse
She requested her daughter saw an asthma consultant
She was refused on the grounds that the doctor did not think the child’s condition was bad enough
This is not an isolated case and it is up to parents to fight for their children until something is done
GPs are not qualified enough to give their assessment
Patients sometimes need to go to hospital, where treatment can be assessed and administered
Certainly the child would have been kept in under observation and her condition assessed
This is something GPs are not in a position to do
The NHS has grown too big and it is failing its patients in so many different ways
There will come a time soon when the entire organisation will need to be split into two camps
Then severe or acute cases can be dealt with and non-severe cases can be dealt with in another portion of the health system
The NHS is unable to work any longer as a whole unit
There are too many problems where medical staff is overloaded with the increasing amount of illnesses presented
There should be more clinics where non-surgical cases can be seen more quickly and remedies administered
The NHS needs to change rapidly if it is to keep up with modern day illnesses and where at this time it is failing its people
The extraordinary courage of Elena Baltacha, who has died of liver cancer aged 30, will remain with her fellow compatriots for a lifetime
Elena, who has been battling with liver cancer since the age of 19, had gone on to win 11 singles titles
She also made the third round of Wimbledon in 2002 and was part of Great Britain’s Fed Cup team for 11 years
There have been many moving tributes made to Elena from her team mates and other tennis legends
One theme seems to be consistent throughout and they are ‘Sweet dreams Bally’ or ‘Rest in Peace’
It is so sad that the outside world is so naïve with what happens to an individual soul once they depart this world
Hardly anybody in the western world takes it upon themselves to actually find out
It is so sad, as they are never able to come to terms with grief as they should be able to do
Elena Baltacha is not sleeping nor is she resting in peace. This lady is alive well and functioning and will continue to grow and survive
She is in the next dimension, which is called the Spirit World and not Heaven, as so many people who do not know chose to call it
Nor is she sleeping six feet underground
This amazing woman lives on and will continue to thrive in the next dimension for all eternity
There she will show her great strengths of personal kindness and inspirational spirit
All of which will be further utilised for the benefit of others who are alongside her
Her earthly demonstrations of courage and conviction will enhance others to continue their fight against this disease
Of that there is no doubt
Her exhaustive determination is no longer required on this earth plane. She has already done more than was expected of her
Now finally released of the earthly constraints, she is able to focus on other matters
More importantly, she will be able to give strength and guidance from the Spiritual Realms, where she now resides
She is able to help others on earth to combat their own fears and weaknesses
She comes in from a position of strength and knowledge and is no longer limited by the heavy earthly conditions
She is both free and liberated. She is in the best place that is now right for her to enjoy
Her darling husband will be reunited with her when it is his time to pass
Meanwhile through his grieving state he will need to learn to understand that his beautiful wife is alive and happy, but far from resting!
She is not dead!
All those who knew her on this earth will cherish her as a wonderful competitor, friend, wife and daughter
Know she is with you always and is but a thought away
She will never forget you, so keep her in your hearts and she also will never be forgotten
The Elena Baltacha Academy in Ipswich will be an inspiration to so many. She continues to be a living legend
An Al-Jazeera journalist has been given the Press Freedom Prize as his trial resumes in Egypt
Mohamed Fahmy was been given the Press Freedom award, before the seventh session of his trial on Saturday
The Canadian Committee of World Press Freedom said it had awarded this prize to Fahmy, a Canadian Egyptian
He is also the Cairo Bureau Chief for Al-Jazeera English
He is recognised for his battle for free speech since being detained last December
In a handwritten letter, which was smuggled out of prison, Fahmy thanked the judges for this award
He has donated his prize money worth £1,100 to the family of an Egyptian journalist
This man was shot dead in unexplained circumstances at a protest last month
All the journalists, which further includes Baher Mohamed, Peter Greste and Abdullah Eishamy, say the charges against them are absurd
The prosecution’s evidence does not appear to include any evidence of abetting terrorism or fabricated footage
Instead, what it does contain are video pictures of trotting horses, sheep farms and interviews
These interviews are with figures on all sides of Egypt’s political spectrum
All of which is normal work by most foreign journalists in Cairo
The Egyptian judiciary is showing the world how not to behave where justice does not exist, but tyrannical practice does
Egypt is being looked at by the world as a failed state where the Rule of Law is a complete farce
Innocent people are put in jail just because they can be and not because it is right to do so!
Egypt is ruled by fear and its people suffer daily from the aggression of the army
This was something the people tried to overrule with democratic elections
As always the army refuses to relinquish its right to rule and so they undermine all the Rules of Law which do not serve their purpose
If they think they have gained by their brutal methods they are sadly mistaken
A Higher Power than theirs will see that justice will be served to the Egyptian people!
The beauty of life surrounds us all the time when we make the time to enjoy it and to appreciate the goodness of nature in all its finery
For many, spring is the greatest time of the year when all of nature is buzzing with activity
From the winter slumber, new life is created and everything becomes fast acting and positive
New life in the animal world is both exciting and enchanting
The newly born animals and birds give us so much pleasure and make us realise that life really is worth living
For those who live in the country, this time of the year is especially beautiful and we praise God’s handiwork all around us
We are truly blessed in so many ways
The various abundance of colours and scent that come from the blooms of plants, make us feel good
Life is really worth living after all and we shouldn’t take anything for granted
All life is precious and we need to stop and take time to see what is so glorious around us
Take in all that God has created for our pleasure as we cohabit with nature and work together to help create a better world
Many of us rush around each day to see how much we can fit in in a given time and wonder why we feel so exhausted and unwell
We often hear the words ‘I am shattered’ or ‘I’m so exhausted, I don’t know what to do with myself.’
We must now start to realise that although the world works at such a fast pace we don’t necessarily need to meet those demands all the time
We can actually give ourselves permission to take a step back and rest, so that our bodies can catch up with our minds
If we let it, life can consume us and we find we are only on the treadmill of life and not living life as we should
It is high time we started being good to ourselves and started to understand we are not robotic
That time out is essential to recharge our batteries, so that we are able to achieve again on other days
All of us need that mental break, so the physical is able to catch up and heal where necessary
We owe it to ourselves to love ourselves and to know we are all worth it – for tomorrow is another day
Cherish what you do, but never lose sight of rest and recuperation
It is a vital cog to our survival if we are to continue achieving in our own life
Actor George Clooney has ended his role as a United Nations ‘Messenger of Peace’ after six years of extensive work
Over this period of time he has used his position to help raise awareness of conflicts in countries like Sudan and the DRC
Equally he has been very active in raising attention to the crisis in Darfur, Western Sudan, which had suffered Civil War in 2003
Also there was a massive famine that claimed 2 million deaths
George Clooney helped to raise awareness and finances to assist these poverty stricken people
Clooney did so especially where the Government was in disarray and the people had absolutely nothing
As well as his UN role, he joined his fellow actors including Matt Damon and Brad Pitt to form the charity ‘Not On Our Watch’
It aims to bring global attention to international crises and give a voice to their victims
Clooney has close ties to a campaign group ‘The Enough Project’ and has helped found the ‘Satellite Sentinel Project’
This uses spy satellites to track human rights abuses and atrocities in Sudan
The UN says its ‘Messengers of Peace’ are high profiled people, who raise awareness of the organisation’s work around the world
The competing demands on their time from their professional and advocacy lives make it difficult
However these high profiled individuals do carry out a formal UN role
Now that George Clooney is going independent, it allows him to pursue other personal advocacy projects and activities
In the case with Brad Pitt, it was his finances that were able to help build necessary homes in New Orleans
Hurricane Katrina had devastated the town leaving many homeless
His charity, ‘Make It Right Foundation’ a non-profit organisation, was responsible for constructing 100 homes in New Orleans
As an individual using his own money, Brad Pitt did more and took more interest than the Bush Government of the day
Other high profiled ‘Messengers of Peace’ include actors Michael Douglas and Charlize Theron with musicians Lang Lang and Stevie Wonder
This world needs more prominent people like them, who have a heart and who care about the people of this world
They are driven by a will to do what is right for this world and are able to bypass many aspects of red tape
They are in charge and hold that position, so that good works can continue under their stewardship
God Bless them all!
